New trial aimed at keeping hospital patients active gets under way in Morecambe Bay
A groundbreaking Morecambe Bay project is encouraging patients to stay as active as possible during their hospital stay.
The Active Ward scheme, a key part of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) Reducing Days Away from Home programme, aims to change perceptions of what a hospital stay should look like.
Rather than spending prolonged periods in bed, patients are supported and encouraged to keep moving safely, where clinically appropriate, recognising that activity is a vital part of their treatment and recovery.
The Active Ward programme is being led by Emily Henry, Quality and Safety Matron and Senior Research Leader for UHMBT, and Elizabeth Law, Inpatient Physiotherapy Team Manager and Advanced Physiotherapist for UHMBT, alongside nurses, therapists and clinical support workers (CSWs) from across the Trust.
Working in partnership with the University of Cumbria, the team has also developed a new patient-focused video to raise awareness of the risks of deconditioning, and help patients and their families understand the benefits of staying mobile while in hospital.
For many patients, particularly those who are older or frail, even a short period of inactivity can affect balance and independence.
The Active Ward approach is designed to prevent unnecessary decline, helping people retain the abilities they already have and supporting a smoother return home.
Emily said: "Something as simple as walking to the bathroom, sitting out in a chair or moving around the ward can make a real difference.
“Our aim is not only to support patients while they are in hospital, but to help them leave hospital with the same level of independence and confidence they had when they arrived."
The Active Ward initiative places CSWs at the heart of the programme as Active Ward Leaders, recognising the important role they play in encouraging and supporting daily activity.
Elizabeth, who features in the video, said: “We know the evidence behind keeping people active is strong. What we are exploring through this pilot is how we make that approach part of our daily routines and ensure it becomes a sustainable way of working that benefits patients now and in the future.”
The Active Ward programme is currently being piloted on five wards across the Trust, with plans for wider rollout.
The Active Ward video for patients and families is on the UHMBT YouTube channel.